Last weekend, the Green Hope wrestling team took on the North Carolina Wrestling State Championships. Wrestlers Laura Boyle (‘28), Sienna Drumgo (‘26), Jack Barbour (‘26), Hutson Catullo (‘26), Gavin Lopez (‘27), JT Sarchet (‘26), Jack Sarchet (‘27) and Patterson Smith (‘28) competed in the event. These players worked very hard throughout their seasons, overcame adversity and supported each other as a team to get to states.
The Greensboro Coliseum, where states were held, had a fun sort of chaos and an air of positive competition. When asked about how she felt at states, Laura Boyle said, “It’s fun, all of the girls here are really nice, and it just feels good to qualify because it means you are at that high level of competition.”
At states, any time a Green Hope wrestler was on the mat, everyone knew because of the loud cheers and overwhelming support from the rest of the team. When a member lost, the team was there to lift them up and make them feel better, and when a member won, they were celebrated by their teammates. Their positivity and sportsmanship extended to the other teams as well and was often returned. When they lost, Green Hope wrestlers didn’t get angry or act rudely; they held their heads and congratulated their competitors. When they won, they were respectful of and kind to the person they defeated. In return, most other wrestlers were respectful of them as well. Laura Boyle says, “The other clubs and schools are very positive and supportive; even competitors are friends.” The sportsmanship shown by Green Hope and the other schools made the competition a place where wrestlers felt supported and just had fun.
Green Hope is proud of all of its wrestlers; however, there are two who really made an impact at states: Sienna Drumgo and Gavin Lopez. Friday night of the championship, Drumgo had her last match against Mary Jane Dean from Millbrook. This match would determine whether she would place. Though her nerves were high, she shook off the stress and did great. She won 3rd place in the women’s 8A, 114lb division and finished the year with a 32-4 record. On Saturday of the tournament, Green Hope’s Gavin Lopez competed against Avery Small of Mallard Creek High School for first place in the men’s 8A, 215lb division. He went out with confidence and won by fall over. This earned him 1st place and State Champ for 2026. He finished the 2026 season with an outstanding 45-0 record. Green Hope couldn’t be prouder of these two.
It is important to remember that the Green Hope Wrestling team went to states not because of luck, but because of their consistent hard work and great performances throughout the season. Their dedication to the sport is what got them to the floor at states, where they performed to the best of their abilities. They represented Green Hope wonderfully, showcasing their diligence, sportsmanship and high competitiveness. Because of this, they brought home 3rd place and crowned a state champion.
